Tyana

My PS2 broke a few months ago. Cracked it open and repaired it temporarily which lasted about two months. Just enough time to get enough of my GTA San Andreas fix. Something about doing a driveby to Rod Stewart's "Young Turks" had me laughing my ass off and realizing just how sick I was at the same time. Which only helped to make me laugh more and do it again until it completely broke. Just threw it out recently when I moved. Since then I figured a clean reinstall of PC games was just cheaper. At least until the PS3 hype cools down and the PS2 price drops. That is unless someone feels like dropping a half grand to get me a PS3. Heh. Then I'll go back to console gaming. For now I'll stick to occasional CoH/CoV and SL.

I know when I have that problem with City of Heroes it's usually a corrupt download. When it's happened I've had to uninstall and reinstall CoH entirely and that usually does the trick. :/ I've had the same problem with SL but all I do is downloaded the updates manually and don't use the auto updater in that case. Don't know about WoW though, I don't care for it that much. But I'll ask a few people I know that play it religiously and see if they can suggest anything to help.

Suprised no one mentioned Oregon Trail for an older PC game aside from Carmen Sandiego. I always had my Oxen die and got stuck. As for the points for the Vanilla Ice TMNT song: "Go ninja, go ninja, go!" You have full permission to shoot me now.

::keeping fingers crossed:: For the love of god, anyone but Affleck.

If someone is really uncomfortable with their level of techno-babble and/or Trek tech, they can always start by focusing on character development until they've simmed long enough to learn some of it. Or at the very least know how to make it look like they know what they are talking about. :P If all you know how to do is open a tricorder or tap on the console right now, then do what you know best. You can work on building the character until you learn enough tech to start using the techno-ramble in the sim confidently. Of course at some point you'll start to understand the techno-ramble more and eventually be able to use it as others do in the sims. You can work on something that might be easier for you to do now; developing the character while you learn the tech. If you feel like you're struggling with the tech then keep it simple. To fill in the gaps, you can try to rely on character development. Down the road it will definitely help you in the advanced sims where plotlines/missions usually move slower and you have to pace yourself. At the same time it'll also give you a chance to slowly start using new Trek tech material that you learn on your own, or from using the character development to learn from other simmers while you are in-character. Some examples would be: There is nothing wrong with playing the "unsure" officer that needs constant reassurance in the department/on the ship. Or perhaps in another sim playing an officer who knows what they're doing but tends to get a little scattered when their adrenaline gets going and might mix phrases and knowledge up from time to time. The character knows what they are talking about, and so do others. They just might need a rational translator or a friend from their crew to interpret what they're saying to others. Perhaps the person playing your characters friend can remind your character that what they are saying makes no sense and toss out a few questions (Options for possible tech answers you might not know about yet.) in the sim to try to help you learn and figure figure out what your character is saying and/or doing. :) As long as you stay within the GM's actions and use common sense, you can come up with several ideas to help you learn to sim and also learn the techno-babble. Sometimes you have to just run with it, and always try to have fun while doing so. In my opinion that method also beats spending the majority of your newbie time in IMs trying to figure out what to say. Use the other players in the sim and don't be afraid to make mistakes. We all started somewhere. Some knew more, and others did not. It is exactly why people train in the Academy before joining an advanced sim. If you feel so inclined to play helm and/or like posts, by all means. Although my opinion is that playing more positions will help you in the long run to learn more. Also playing more diverse posts (Even while not knowing what you're talking about.) will better prepare you for the advanced sims where helm and like posts, might not be open. My advice is to ask for assistant posts in the departments under someone. When you're working with an experienced simmer don't be afraid to learn from observation; at the same time just copy, paste, and flat out ask when you really feel lost. Aside from enjoying the game and just wanting to play; that's why the experienced players and GMs are there. :) Hope that some of these suggestions can help. :(

That'll happen as soon as the 360 joins the electronic lynch mob.

Office Manager> :D "We're here to address the issue of the bathrooms being out of order. I am well aware of every complaint about having to go outside ranging from someone walking up on you, to inclimate weather. I spoke with corporate and discussed some of the alternatives. Unforetunately because of the costs of our Christmas party, we cannot hire a plumber. Nor can we afford a port-o-san. I also asked about Mr. Simon's suggestion to "just use a bucket." Due to local health codes, state health codes, OSHA, and for having to be the ones to clean it; a threatened strike from maintenance... We cannot have anyone 'going' in the building without a legal and compliant way to contain, as well as dispose of the waste. Therefore our district manager got together with the groundskeepers and maintenance. They brainstormed for a few days and we are extremely confident that you all will be satisfied with the result. Now with no more delay; everyone please follow me outside." Employees> :D :) :) :( :) :D :) :P :o :( :o :) :o Not really a caption. More of a passing thought.

From what I recall; I thought it was always that way Mr. Kroells. :P

If the look is an issue, then you can always try out different themes/skins. Luna Blue is an IE-Like skin for Firefox. Also take a look at some of the themes and add-ons. Maybe if you see one you like, it'll get your interest more.